According to Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, the total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the what?

According to Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, the total voltage in a series circuit is equal to the sum of the voltage drops across each component in that circuit. This fundamental principle of electrical engineering states that the sum of the electromotive forces (emf) in any closed loop is equal to the sum of the potential drops in that loop.

In a series circuit, the voltage from the power source is distributed among the various components, such as resistors, in the circuit. Each component contributes to a voltage drop that corresponds to its resistance and the current flowing through it, following Ohm's law. Therefore, if you were to measure the voltages across each component and add them together, you would arrive at the total voltage provided by the source. This alignment of voltage drops is critical for ensuring that the circuit functions properly and that the components receive the appropriate voltage.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the relationship of voltages in a series circuit. The smallest or largest voltage drop does not represent the total voltage; rather, they pertain to specific individual components. The product of the voltage drops is also not relevant as it does not follow the principles laid out in Kirchhoff's Voltage Law.